Bathtub and adjustable leveling bracket



Oct. 1, 1963 H. G. DODGE 3,105,244

BATHTUB AND ADJUSTABLE LEVELING BRACKET Filed Feb. 14, 1961 INVENTOR. HAEEY G. D0066 ATTORNEY? United States Patent 3,105,244 BATHTUB AND ADJUSTAhLE LEVELING ERA JKET Harry G. Dodge, lainesville, Ohio, assignor of four-tenths to John Staniit, Newhury, Ghio Filed Feb. 14, 1% Ser. No. 89,284 7 (Ilaixns. (Cl. 4-173) This invention relates to brackets for installing, leveling and supporting built-in bathtubs and the like.

It has been common for many to install and use builtin bathtubs in houses and other buildings, especially in in new construction. Such bathtubs are designed so that the support for the tube is hidden from view and only a finished eye-pleasing surface is visible when the tube is installed. Further, the tubs are installed so that the adjacent wall overlaps an upstanding lip or flange at the edge of the tub structure, so that the tub is thereby built into the building structure and water, etc., collecting in the tub will now flow into the wall. The inner edges of such tubs conventionally are supported by suitable means mounted on the wall or wall studs against which the tubs are disposed. The tubs must be leveled so as to drain properly and in new construction, for example, conventionally have their inner edges resting upon a transversely extending, horizontal board which is nailed across a plurality of the adjacent wall studs to form a support member for the tub. The support member is leveled as best as possible before being fastened to the studs. The tub is then positioned on the support member, and the tub checked for proper position and leveling. If the tub is not proper difiiculty is experienced in adjusting and leveling the tub because it is necessary to remove the tub from its intended position in order to have useful access to the support rnember to loosen, "adjust and relocate the same upon the studs. Then the tub must be repositioned, rechecked and again removed if not proper, ad infinitum, until the tub is properly positioned and leveled.

It is therefore, a general object of this invention to provide a new and improved adjustable, leveling bracket for installing, leveling and supporting bathtubs and the like.

A further object of this invention is to provide a new and improved adjustable leveling bracket for supporting bathtubs and the like which is eflicient in operation; which is particularly adapted for use in concealed locations having access through the wall upon which it is mounted; which is mounted on a stud or the like but is easily reached and adjusted without interference from the stud upon which it is mounted, the bathtub or object, which is being supported thereon, or by the bracket itself; which is easily and economically installed and used; which is easily and economically manufactured; which is easily, effectively and efficiently used by unskilled labor; which includes means whereby the adjustments, introduced to properly level and support the tub during installation, are locked into place to insure the continued proper support of the tub through the succeeding period of use; which ha a structure facilitating its use and effectiveness with tools of ordinary and common design; which does not require special tools in order to obtain the maximum benefit and advantage from its use; which is easily used in multiple numbers for each tub without requiring that each bracket be aligned absolutely with the others, upon being secured to their respective positions on the wall or studs; and which, reduces the time and labor necessary to effectively and correctly install, position and level a built-in bathtub and the like.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an adjustable leveling bracket for installing bathtubs and the like which obtains and has one or more of the objects and advantages hereinabove set forth and to provide such ice a bracket in combination with a wall, upon which it is secured, and a tub or the like which is supported thereon, whereby to provide for the ready and proper installation, leveling and support of the tub against and by the wall.

These and other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred form thereof, reference being had to the at-. tached drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view showing a tub mount-- ed upon a plurality of brackets embodying a preferred form of this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a broken section, on an enlarged scale, viewed along the line 22 of FIGURE 1; and,

FIGURE 3, a broken section viewed along the line 3-3 of FIGURE 2.

Briefly a leveling bracket embodying this invention is indicated generally at i, FIGURES l, 2 and 3, together with the bathtub 2, which it supports and the wall 4, including the studs 5, upon and against which the tub 2 is supported.

The tub 2, FIGURE 1, is of the built-in type and in addition to the recessed portion 7 includes an outer vertical portion or front 8 which represents a pleasing appearance to the viewer and functions as a leg to support the outside of the tub and one or both ends as may be the case. This is because tub 2 is disposed against the wall 4 and usually between one or two walls perpendicular thereto (not shown) as desired.

Tub 2, also, includes an inner horizontal flange portion it by which the inside of the tub (and one or both ends as the case may be) is supported at the proper height above the floor and against the wall 4. Flange 19, usually has an upturned lip 11, FIGURES 2 and 3, which abuts against the studding against which the tub is installed and is overlapped by the finished wall, in order to build the tub in while preventing water, etc. from entering the wall behind the tub.

Traditionally, as noted above, flange it} has been supported in place and tub 2 has been leveled to ensure that it drains properly, etc., by nailing a suitable two by four or other board, across a number of studs, with its top at the proper level for flange 10 to rest thereupon and properly leveled as desired. Such a procedure has proven unsatisfactory, because of the time consuming difiiculty in properly positioning and leveling the cross board in the first instance and the impossibility of adjusting the boardafter the tub had been placed in position thereon. Thus if adjustment was necessary after the tub was initially positioned, it was necessary to remove the tub, pull one or more of the nails or other fastening devices holding the cross board in place, relevel and refasten the cross board and then replace the tub with flange 10 on the board.

This invention provides supporting means, which is quickly and easily fastened to the studding without re quiring accurate and careful alignment and positioning, which properly supports the flange and tub, and, which admits of ready and easy adjustment from the opposite side of the wall 4 so that the tub need not be removed and replaced as it is leveled, but rather is leveled precisely and finally as desired, while the tub is positioned on and supported by the supporting means.

Such means, as stated above, is indicated generally at 1 and comprises a bracket, which is formed of metal or other suitable material, as by casting aluminum in a suitable die or mold. Bracket 1 includes a vertical leg 15 and a horizontal leg or top 16. Leg 15 has a flat back 18, FIGURE 2, so that the bracket seats against the front face 19 of the stud 5. Leg 15 is, also, provided with suitable apertures 20, perferably two, in number, by which the bracket 1 is fastened by suitablemeans, such as nails 21, to the stud 5.

In order to adjustably support and level flange 1t) and tub 2, bracket 1 is provided with a threaded aperture 22 in top 16, FIGURES 2 and 3. A screw 23 is received in aperture 22 and has a head 25, which preferably extends downwardly from top 16 so that the head may be grasped easily with the hand or a wrench or other suitable tool to position the screw 23. The flange 10 rests upon the opposite end 26 of screw 23 and a lock nut 28 is preferably mounted on screw 23, so that the same may be. locked in permanent position, once the tub is positioned and leveled.

Screw 23 is of sufficient length so that bracket 1 need not be fastened onto the stud in an exact position. Rather bracket 1 is positioned approximately and fastened to the stud. Screw 23 is then adjusted to support and level the tub 2 and the adjustment simultaneously allows for any deviation, within the length of screw 23, in positioning the bracket on the stud.

Bracket 1 is also provided with means so that head 25 may be reached easily and readily, from the opposite side of wall 4, and adjusted and positioned and locking'nut 28 may be tightened in place, with case, even though and while the tub is and remains positioned on the end 26 of screw 23. To this end top 16 of bracket 1 extends both horizontally and laterally relative to leg 15 so as to extend laterally outwardly or sidewardly from the stud 5, as best seen in FIGURE 3, and aperture 22 is formed in that part of top 16, which is offset from or laterally outwardly from the face 19 and intersecting side face 19' of the stud 5 when the bracket is mounted on the face -19 thereof. Thus head 25 is not disposed behind, as viewed from the opposite side of the wall from the'tub 2, the stud 5 and in the narrow space between the stud and the back wall30 of the tub and so the user may easily see reach head 25 and adjust and turn the same from the opposite side of wall 4, when tub 2 is positioned on the bracket 1. Further, since screw 23 is adjustable, thd tub can be leveled without removing and replacing either the tub or the bracket and, since the head is disposed laterally outwardly of the stud, it is easily reached and adjusted without interference or difficulties being caused by the stud, the wall 30 or the close proximity therebetween.

In practice, as shown in FIGURE 1, two brackets 1 are preferably mounted on spaced studs 5 of wall 4 in order to support the flange and tub 2.

In operation, a plurality of brackets 1 are nailed or otherwise fastened to respective studs 5, preferably with their respective tops 16 just below the level at which the flange 10 is to be supported. The tub 2 is then set into position with flange 10 resting on screw ends 26 and the user adjusts the respective screws 23, by turning heads 25, until the tub is positioned and leveled as desired, whilelthe tub remains in position on the screws 23. Once the tub is properly positioned lock nut 28 is tightened and the installation is completed.

Modifications, changes and improvement to the preferred form of the invention herein described may occur to those skilled in the art who come to understand the precepts thereof. Accordingly, the scope of the patent to be issued hereon should not be limited to the embodiment of the invention herein illustrated and described, but rather consistent with the advance by which the invention has promoted the art as set forth in the claims.

I claim: 1. In combination, a wall comprising a plurality of spaced vertical studs each having a front face and aside 7 respective stud upon which said bracket is mounted, said vertical leg having a plurality of apertures therein, fastening means extending through said vertical leg apertures, respectively, and engaging said respective stud to secure said bracket in position thereon, a vertically extending threaded aperture in said top, said threaded aperture being disposed laterally outwardly from both said faces of said respective stud, a screw in said threaded aperture, said screw having a head disposed below said top and an upper end engaging said flange of said tub to support said tub, and a lock nut on said screw intermediate said head and said top of said bracket.

2. In combination, a wall comprising a plurality of spaced, vertical studs having intersecting front and side faces, respectively, a bathtub having a horizontal flange and engaging against corresponding faces of said studs, and'at least one bracket mounted on a said stud, each said bracket comprising a vertical leg portion, a top portion extending horizontally and laterally sidewardly from said vertical leg portion and extending laterally outwardly from both said faces of said stud upon which said bracket is mounted, adjustment means supported upon said top portion laterally outwardly from both said faces of said stud upon which said bracket is mounted, said adjustment means being supported on said top portion for relative vertical adjustment therewith and having a portion engaging said flange of said tub, to support said tub.

3. A bracket for mounting on a wall stud and the like I having intersecting front and side faces to support a bathtub and the like having a horizontal flange and engaging against the stud, said bracket comprising a vertical leg portion having a flat rear face for err-"aging against the stud, and a top portion extending horizontally and laterally sidewardly from said vertical leg portion and extending laterally outwardly from both said faces of said stud when said bracket is mounted thereon, said vertical leg portion having a plurality of apertures therein for receiving fastening means therethrough to secure s aid bracket to the stud, a vertically extending, threaded aperture in said top portion of said bracket in the part thereof adapted to extend laterally outwardly from said stud, a screw in said threaded aperture, said screw having a head disposed below said top portion and an upper end for engaging the horziontal flange of said tub and the like to support the 7 same, and a lock nut on said screw intermediate said head and top portion.

' tending laterally outwardly from both said faces of said stud upon which said bracket is mounted, a threaded aperture in said top portion, said threaded aperture being disposed laterally outwardly from both said faces of said stud, and a screw in said threaded aperture and engaging the underside of said flange of said tub to support said tub.

5. A bracket for mounting on a wall stud or the like having intersecting front and side faces to support a bathtub and the like having a horizontal flange and engaging against the stud, said bracket comprising a vertical leg portion and a horizontal top portion, said horizontal top a portion extending laterally sidewardly from said vertical leg portion and extending laterally outwardly from both the front and side faces of the stud when said bracketlis mounted on one of the faces, a threaded aperture in said horizontal top portion, said threaded aperture being laterally sidewardly of said vertical leg portion and being laterally outwardly of both the front and side faces of the stud when said bracket is mounted on one of the faces, and a screw in said threaded aperture, said screw having an upper end for engaging the flange of the bathtuband the like to support the same when said bracket is mounted on the stud.

6. The bracket according to claim 5 with a lock nut on said screw.

7. The bracket according to claim 5 in which said screw 5 has a head disposed below said horizontal top portion.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Von Tell June 4, 1918 So-ss Dec. 28, 1920 Brotz NOV. 24, 1931 Brotz Aug. 15, 1933 Jameson Ian. 15, 1935 Clark Oct. 15, 1935 Schrniedeknecht Aug. 18, 1936 

1. IN COMBINATION, A WALL COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF SPACED VERTICAL STUDS EACH HAVING A FRONT FACE AND A SIDE FACE, A BATHTUB HAVING A HORIZONTAL FLANGE ENGAGING AGAINST SAID FRONT FACES OF SAID STUDS, AND A PLURALITY OF BRACKETS, EACH SAID BRACKET BEING MOUNTED SINGLY ON A SAID FRONT FACE OF A RESPECTIVE STUD, EACH SAID BRACKET COMPRISING A VERTICAL LEG HAVING A FLAT REAR FACE ENGAGING AGAINST SAID FRONT FACE OF SAID RESPECTIVE STUD AND A TOP EXTENDING HORIZONTALY AND LATERALLY FROM SAID VERTICAL LEG AND EXTENDING LATERALLY OUTWARDLY FROM BOTH SAID FACES OF SAID RESPECTIVE STUD UPON WHICH SAID BRACKET IS MOUNTED, SAID VERTICAL LEG HAVING A PLURALITY OF APERTURES THEREIN, FASTENING MEANS EXTENDING THROUGH SAID VERTICAL LEG APERTURES, RESPECTIVELY, AND ENGAGING SAID RESPECTIVE STUD TO SECURE SAID BRACKET IN POSITION THEREON, A VERTICALLY EXTENDING THREADED APERTURES IN SAID TOP, SAID THREADED APERTURE BEING DISPOSED LATERALLY OUTWARDLY FROM BOTH SAID FACES OF SAID RESPECTIVE STUD, A SCREW IN SAID THREADED APERTURES, SAID SCREW HAVING A HEAD DISPOSED BELOW SAID TOP AND AN UPPER END ENGAGING SAID FLANGE OF SAID TUB TO SUPPORT SAID TUB, AND A LOCK NUT ON SAID SCREW INTERMEDIATE SAID HEAD AND SAID TOP OF SAID BRACKET. 